Ottawa –The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of State for Seniors, today announced $8.6 million for new research on Alzheimer’s disease. They were joined by Debbie Benczkowski, Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer Society of Canada; and Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The Harper Government is taking action to turn the tide of Alzheimer’s disease in Canada,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “We need to better understand this disease so we can develop effective strategies for its prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.

The funding announced will support 44 research projects approved by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to be carried out by researchers across Canada. The projects were approved through a competitive process of peer review. 

Minister Fantino also announced a contribution of $160,000 to the Alzheimer Society of Canada to support the 26th International Alzheimer Disease Conference to be held on March 26-29, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario.

As Minister for Canadian Seniors, I’m proud of the work our Government is doing to find a cure for this tragic disease,” said Minister Fantino. “The initiatives we’ve announced today are steps toward improving the lives of Canadians with Alzheimer’s and creating a healthier future for all Canadians.”

Our CIHR funded scientists have been international leaders in advancing the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. It is also through our partnerships that we are able to best devote the resources necessary to fight these diseases,” said Dr. Beaudet. CIHR is pursuing an international research strategy on Alzheimer’s disease and has established partnerships with agencies in France, Germany, the United States and China.
The Alzheimer Society welcomes this announcement, Increasing Alzheimer research responds to the critical need for funding identified in our Rising Tide study and is great news for Canadians,” said Ms. Benczkowski. Federal support and recognition of the scope of the problem means we can improve the lives of more than 500,000 Canadians currently living with Alzheimer’s disease.”